Catheter

Abstract

A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter ( 1 ) comprises an elongate conduit ( 2 ) having a proximal and a distal end, the conduit ( 2 ) comprising a plurality of lumens commencing adjacent to the proximal end; means ( 8, 9 ) for substantially sealing a tracheo-oesophageal fistula, the means being attached to the conduit ( 2 ) adjacent to the proximal end and comprising two elements ( 8, 9 ) to be placed on either side of the fistula; and at least one expandable balloon ( 7 ) attached to the conduit ( 2 ) adjacent to the distal end, and in fluid connection with at least one of said lumens; wherein at least one lumen is a gastric lumen, the gastric lumen extending along the full length of the conduit and having an outlet ( 6 ) at the distal end of the conduit ( 2 ), and wherein at least one element of the means for sealing the fistula comprises an expandable balloon in fluid connection with at least one of said lumens.

1. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter comprising:
 (a) an elongate conduit having a proximal and a distal end, the conduit comprising a plurality of lumens commencing adjacent to the proximal end; 
 (b) means for substantially sealing a tracheo-oesophageal fistula, the means being attached to the conduit adjacent to the proximal end and comprising two elements to be placed on either side of the fistula; and 
 (c) at least one expandable balloon attached to the conduit adjacent to the distal end, and in fluid connection with at least one of said lumens; 
 wherein at least one lumen is a gastric lumen, the gastric lumen extending along the full length of the conduit and having an outlet at the distal end of the conduit, and wherein at least one element of the means for sealing the fistula comprises an expandable balloon in fluid connection with at least one of said lumens. 
 
     
     
       2. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one element of the means for sealing the fistula comprises a flange. 
     
     
       3. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each element of the means for sealing the fistula comprises an expandable balloon, each in fluid connection with at least one of said lumens. 
     
     
       4. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of said lumens has an inlet at the proximal end of the conduit. 
     
     
       5. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each expandable balloon is expanded by introducing fluid into the lumen fluidly connected with said balloon via said inlet. 
     
     
       6. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the inlet of each lumen except the at least one gastric lumen comprises a one-way valve. 
     
     
       7. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the proximal end of the conduit includes a flexible element. 
     
     
       8. A tracheo-oesophageal fistula catheter as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the flexible element comprises concertina tubing. 
     
     
       9. A method of sealing a tracheo-oesophageal fistula using the catheter as described in any of  claims 1  to  8 , the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting the catheter into the oesophagus through a patient's tracheo-oesophageal fistula with each expandable balloon in unexpanded form; 
 (b) inserting the distal end of the catheter into the patient's stomach such that the unexpanded balloon adjacent to the distal end of the conduit passes into the stomach; 
 (c) positioning each element of the means for sealing the fistula on either side of the fistula; 
 (d) expanding the at least one balloon attached adjacent to the distal end of the catheter by introducing fluid into the lumen fluidly connected with said balloon; 
 (e) expanding the at least one balloon attached adjacent to the proximal end of the catheter by introducing fluid into the lumen fluidly connected with said balloon.